Multiple Remedies for Perioral Dermatitis

Topical Friday, 17 May- began using products.

For the first couple of days (after stopping all cortisone/elidel use), this rash got much worse; blistered and scabbed, with raised bumps and whiteheads. It itched and burned. Skin got dried out, flaky, but rash started to disappear. Letting the yogurt mask dry on face, q.d. , then rinsing and rubbing gently, helped remove the dead skin, as did using the dandruff shampoo.

Yogurt was the most soothing and immediately stopped the itching. Ate what was left in the little container, since I only used a Tablespoon or so for the facemask.

I did not put makeup on my face for the first 4 days. When I did, I dabbed "Almay Skin-clearing Makeup" on the red spots with a clean sponge.

Thursday, 24 May - Skin nearly clear; redness and scabs almost disappeared.

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar- Apply w/ cotton pads - q.i.d., Dried rash (it burns; might want to dilute with 50% H20)

Aloe Gel 98% - Apply to face after vinegar, Stopped burn, soothed skin without spreading rash

Organic Plain Yogurt- Apply to face like a mask, Stopped itching and also burn; softened skin

Dandruff Shampoo- Face wash-leave on 1 min, Helped to remove dried skin, q.d.

Acidophilus, q.d. Probiotic

This site is great! My heart truly goes out to all those suffering with POD. I had POD in junior high school and it was devedtating! Now after years of 'only' random acne issues, the POD came back. So I have tried "everything" and through a combination of frustration and impatience for results I have finally found what helps me.

Nixoderm - ordered online

Organic active culture plain yogurt - applied and consumed in shakes

Aloe Vera Juice - also put in shakes, got at health food store

Hydrogen Peroxide - used as a toner on my skin, full strength

Using non-flouride toothpaste and mouthwash

Tea Tree oil - applied during the day after the peroxide toner.

Eliminating SLS products. Bought 'Crystal Clear' face and body wash made by AromaCrystal vibrational therapy - purchased at organic/health food store (or also online)

So I wash my face with the Crystal Clear, use hydrogen peroxide as a toner then apply the Nixoderm at night (it stays white) I make a shake in the morning with the aloe vera juice, yogurt, a banana, and some blueberries, and drink it.

I also stopped eating tomatoes (I read somewhere they have flouride?) fish and eggs. But other than that my diet is kinda bad - I eat junk food ;-)

So all in all everyone is different and will have different results... I honestly have a TON of different ointments, creams, washes, that I tried with no real results. The worst is when a product helps a little at first, but after a few days there was no significant change. I hate that! It felt like I would get excited for clear skin then just get let down and feel like it was a waste of time.

I wish you all the best in your fight against this terrible condition. Just remember it always looks (and feels) worse to you than to anyone else. And if you simply keep smiling... Your inner beauty will shine through!

Hello everyone. I have suffered with perioral dermatitis for several years. I think it started many years ago after rounds of antibiotics. I also did not eat a proper diet - too much bread, sweets, etc. I tried everything - I mean everything to cure it. Apple cider vinegar, lye soap, neem oil, special toothpaste, special creams, baking soda, yogurt masks, honey masks, dermatologists, allergists, everything. Tried all kinds of supplements - biotin, turmeric, msm (worked for a while, sort of), etc. The list is endless. I finally decided to cure it from the inside, since nothing was working on the outside. Read a ton of info on candida... Folks, I'm telling you, if you are suffering from pd... It starts internally. Here is what has CURED it for me.

Morning with breakfast:

two capsules caprylic acid, one capsule grapefruit seed extract, one good probiotic plus some msm or turmeric for anti inflammation - I switch between the two

At dinner - two capsules caprylic acid, one capsule probiotic

The first week, I also took the capyrlic acid and grapefruit seed extract at lunch. one capsule each.

Now, I did change my diet drastically. But even with changing my diet, my pd did not go away - it didn't start to change until I added the caprylic acid and gf seed extract. You have to eliminate the white sugars completely. you need to eliminate all breads that have yeast in them, white or not.

Sample of my day:

breakfast - quinoa with pecans, flax meal, unsweetened coconut with almond milk and fresh blueberries

lunch - salad with grilled chicken

dinner - homemade soup with gluten free, brown rice muffins

snack - greek yogurt

I drink either water or coconut water all day. One cup of coffee in the morning. That's it. After YEARS of struggling with this... the above has cleared my face in one week.

Such a frustrating thing to go through. I feel, physically, so much better. I really hope this helps someone out there. Earth clinic is a great site. I can't tell you how relieved I am to have this cleared up for now. I will remain on a maintenance dose of the caprylic acid and the probiotic. peace to all.

Hi there, Thank you so much for this website. It literally changed my life!

Let me just say I have suffered from acne and eczema since I was a teenager and now at 31 years old, I finally have both under control. About six months ago I had perioral dermatitis (from now on: PD), which I got from stupidly applying Clobetasol to a red, dry and pimply patch of skin near my mouth. My dermatologist had advised me not to use it, but only said that it was "too strong" and did not mention the reprecussions of using it my face. I have been using Clobetasol for years, sparingly, to treat eczema spots on my legs and hands. But for the past 4-5 years I have gotten this pesky dry/pimply spot near my mouth, always in the same place, usually in winter. This past fall I got it really bad. Every time I thought it had healed, it would come back again with avengence. I tried so many expensive creams, derm-recomended over-the-counter moisterizers, expensive creams from Sephora, etc. I spent hundreds of dollars on this problem.

Then I got a rash--ALL OVER MY FACE--as a result of using Clobetasol. I self-diagnosed the problem after several days of research (during which I did not leave the house once! ). I also discovered the Earth Clinic website. After reading dozens and dozens of people's testimonies, I decided to STOP doing a variety of things: 1) using any kind of moisturizer, 2) using any kind of cleanser on my face, 3) washing my face with more than water, 4) wearing makeup.

Then I tried three natural remedies. The first was apple cider vinegar. Initially I used too much, which did not help my skin's redness, although the ACV did noticably help dry out the bacterial infection. Then I diluted just a couple drops in water with an organic cotton ball and dabbed it across my face, about once a day. The second remedy was organic raw honey. This I slapped on my face once a day for its good bacteria benefits, finding that it also reduced the redness and softened my flaky skin. Third, I made a yogurt mask twice a day (full fat and probiotic are best. ) My doctor eventually put me on antibiotics, so I cannot claim that these remedies alone got rid of the PD. However, in reaching this 'rock bottom' I completely changed my skin cleaning and moisterizing routine--and THAT has kept my skin looking better than it ever has in my life now that I'm off the antibiotics.

What is that routine? Well, not much of one to be honest! I now wake up in the morning and splash my face with room temperature water, then pat it dry. When my skin's fully dry I apply a minimal amount of Smashbox Healthy FX foundation, usually with an unused cosmetic sponge (rather than my fingers. ) I only wear foundation 4-5 days of the week, as to avoid clogging pours.

Then at night, I use a couple drops of California baby shampoo and room temp water to gently rise my face. I pat dry with a towel. I NEVER use moisterizer.

Once a week I do a yogurt mask for an hour before bed. Coach Farm probiotic yogurt, full fat. The good bacteria helps fight bad bacteria on my face. The next day my skin is noticeably softer. If I had more time, I'd do this every other night!

And that's it. I also try to eat yogurt often, to keep good bacteria in my system. And during the winter months, I spray my face with rose water from the health food store just to keep it from over-drying. The cost of this routine is negligable!

I still get to wear makeup but need a whole lot less than I used to. It's so nice to wake up to healthy skin! And no more dry patches near my mouth (even though it's January and I don't have a humidifier.)

Thanks, Earth Clinic, and everyone who has written about their experiences. Without all of these helpful accounts of trial and error, I might still be stuck in my room hiding with a rash!

I too popped out with Perioral Dermatitis (PD) one year ago just after deciding to make a 'healthier' choice from coffee, to Oolong (black) & Green Teas...

I've likewise made the connection between the Fluoride in the tea and my new skin condition, which has proven much harder to get rid of than to come by... I've learned also to beware of sky high fluoride levels in all conventionally grown grape products and rooibos/redbush teas, as well as most conventionally produced poultry products including broths (its in the chicken feed) and off gassing from teflon cookware, especially if it is scratched. And of course toothpastes, and fluoride is added to tapwater in most parts of the country (tho thankfully not here in Portland)

My bones are feeling much better since getting rid of all my known fluoride sources including changing out all my cookware. And my mouth & tongue have stopped breaking out in painful canker sores since switching to baking soda for a dentrifice. I've been using Ted's borax protocol, alternating with an iodine protocol I learned about on curezone, all this past year and am certain that has made a big difference in my energy levels... not so horribly fatigued & dark circles less evident most of the time

But the PD is certainly proving to be much tougher to get rid of! Hoping to learn some more new strategies here :)

Wow, I am so relieved to have found this site. I just got back from the dermatoligist with a prescription for antibiotics for my perioral dermatitis. I read a bunch of testimonials about ACV and am going to start the regimen suggested topicly and orally before trying the antibiotics. I have read a lot about how yeast is thought to be the culprit and I hadn't heard anyone mention the product Candex, it's an enzyme complex by Pure Essence labs which I've used before to kill systemic yeast infections and it is amazing, plus it doesn't cause a die-off reaction. I'm going to start taking it again, do the ACV thing, the coconut oil, and have already been taking biotin, but maybe up my dosage, and get some probiotics. I'm interested in the manuka honey cleanser someone mentioned, could you post your proportions? I know the diet is key too, though super tough. I'll try to start that too. Candex is the only thing I've tried for yeast that worked, and it's not expensive, $25 a bottle. Thank you all so much! Finally some natural answers!

Regarding my above post.... Not 15 months pregnant, 15 weeks pregnant. Now that would be interesting..

Remove gluten from your diet. Give your body at least 2 months to eliminate residual glue from your digestive system before judging whether this is root cause of dermatitis. Any rash that occurs near mouth is related to what you ingest. Try eliminating deadly nightshade family(tomato, eggplant, potato) if still suffering. The toxins that cannot be eliminated through digestion or filter organs come out via the skin. It is the bodies largest organ.

Me and my 12 month son have this PD for quite some time now (doctor says it is not contagious(?)). We have got the rash in the end of summer and I believe it occured because of the temperature change. Still can't find the root trigger, because we live in a clean environment (rural area), drink clean water (they do not put fluorid or other chemicals to our water), eat home grown veggies and other real food, I use only organic or diy make up, no stress (I'm stayed at home mom), my boy happily drinks green smothies and other healthy stuff, but we both have PD. I started ACV, but not sure if it's good for a kiddo. So, there is no logics or health plan to fight PD. Hopefully, some day soon smart guys will find the reason and a way to fight PD

Just wanted to add to some ideas for POD (perioral dermatitis). I wash my face as needed with Baking Soda. This get's rid of flakes and oils. I put tea tree oil on affected area. Drinking Kombucha everyday helps too.

How I cured my PD following a strict face cleaning routine and a mix of creams/oils.

- clean my skin with no soap cleaner (tea trea foam for acne)

- spray on the skin/face Avene spring water

- wash my face with organic ACV " with the mother" (if you can not stand it not diluted, put in on your face while you still have the spring water on the skin)

- wait until it dries a bit and put on your face tea tree oil ( if you can not stand the stings diluted spray again your face with the spring water)

- moisturize your face with Calendula cream (mostly near/ around the areas where you have the PD)

- put on your PD area (can put it actualy on your entire face - make sure you treat the whole skin , also the nose area) the following mix:

- Clotrimazole cream - 1 part (2 cm lenght of cream coming out of the tube)

- Calendula cream - 1 part

-Baby rash cream -1/4 part

- 1-2 drops yogurt

- 1 probiotic pill (only the content inside/ the powder)

- 1 drop Vitamin E oil

- 1 drop Rosehip oil

Mix all together until it forms a uniform cream.

This mix reduces the acidity of the skin and in the same time shoots and treats the skin. It kills the fungus which thrives in an acidic environment.

And ... you do not need to do the yogurt masks because it includes it.

Repeat this full procedure before you go to bed and also, wait until the cream mix is fully absorbed in the skin, apply after only the Baby rash cream on PD (and keep it all night).

During the day, if you do not have time/ you are away from home to do this process again at mid day, just apply on the PD every 3-4 hours the same cream mix.

Because of the probiotic and yogurt it may become powdery on the face if you apply a new mix on the previous one without cleaning the skin. Just wash / clean with water your face and apply the mix.

PS: You are what you eat! Make sure you eliminate acidic food from your diet and take regulary probiotics. This is candida manifesting on the skin.

Hey C

You sound like you have everything taken care of. If another outbreak ever pops up, I would strongly suggest Psyllium Husk taken with blackstrap molasses. Do the research and you'll understand why it works, I guarantee you won't be sorry.

I have been suffering with outbreaks around my chin and nose for years. I am 45 years old. One derm told me it was psoriasis, another derm telling me it was seborrheic dermatitis. Both prescribing steroidal ointment. The first ointment worked wonderfully but I noticed fine 'smokers' wrinkles appearing around my lips. (I have never smoked). The second derm said that the steroid was too strong and causes thin skin so that is probably why. But, the steroid he prescribed did not work and the rash got worse. I looked up my symptoms in an internet search and found that I have perioral dermatitis and that like many of you, should never have been on topical steroids at all. So, I stopped using completely on nov 25. By nov 28 the rash blew up! It has spread all over my chin, along my jawline around my nasolabial folds, under my eyes and eyelids, and on my forehead. Burning, itching, angry, red and bumpy. I am so miserable. So, yesterday, I went to the health food store and bought everything everyone has tried on this site, hoping for a miracle.

Biotin -10000 mcg, probiotics, Apple Cider Vinegar -the mother, black African soap, pure aloe Vera (we don't have whole plants) hydrogen peroxide, calendula balm, vitamin c, l-lysine, Organic yogurt and manuka honey.

I've been on a low carb diet for almost 4 weeks, so, my sugar intake is minimal. I mostly eat organic or GMO FREE. I have not given up the coffee I drink in the morning, though. I have been using hair products without SLS or parabens for years. I switched to squigle fluoride free toothpaste as soon as I diagnosed myself. Threw out all of my makeup and moisturizers unless it was organic And checked everything for toxicity on the cosmetic database. I did recently start using neutrogena foaming facial wash which is loaded with sulfates and other bad stuff. why did I do that? I threw that away too.

So, yesterday, nov 29, started the Apple Cider Vinegar regimen.

1. Washed makeup from face with African black soap

2. Applied 50/50 mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar with spring water with cotton pad to saturate affected areas. let that sit for at least 10 minutes after drying. (Stinky, my kids did not like) this did not burn, but made my skin feel very dry.

3. Wiped the smelly Apple Cider Vinegar of with hydrogen peroxide on cotton.

4. Mixed yogurt with manuka honey and applied mask to face. The mixture is very thin. Only needed a tablespoon to cover everything. I ate the rest of the mixture. Tasty. The yogurt feels delightful on the burning rash.

5. Rinse with warm water and applied the calendula balm. The balm was very greasy so before bed I rinsed that off.

6. Applied pure aloe very gel. This felt good. The bumps on my forehead and around my eyes felt smoother and the gel relieves the itch for longer than anything else. I woke up in the middle of the night and applied more to my chin. I will probably use this as a moisturizer.

I also took the biotin, probiotics, vitamin c, and mercola astaxanthin, digestive enzymes and salmon oil, which I will do daily

Sadly, waking up this morning, my skin looks worse. The rash is creeping or for my eyes down to my cheeks now. I took all the supplements and I applied the acv, wiped that off with the peroxide and am now typing this with the yogurt/honey mixture. I am hoping for the best and I won't give up, but, I will probably call out of work tomorrow. I look terrible. 75% of my face is covered by rash. I will post an update if anything changes. I would appreciate any encouragement or tips. Thank you to everyone for contributing to this site. It is nice to know that there is hope.

I had a bout with PD myself recently. It has cleared up nicely by doing the following: I used only Coconut Oil (extra virgin, organic, unrefined) and warm water to cleanse and moisturize my face. To remove make-up, I put the oil all over my face, then wiped off with a tissue. Then used a very warm (not hot) washcloth to remove any residual oil and makeup. After that, I used a cotton ball with a 50/50 mix of Apple Cider Vinegar and water as a toner. I let my face air dry (didn't rinse off the toner), then applied another thin coating of coconut oil on my face, then make-up if I was going out. I did this twice a day, morning and night, for about a week, but mine was not as severe as yours sounds. No soaps or any other moisturizers were used. I also went make-up free as much as possible. Make sure to wash your make-up sponges/brushes/applicators as well so you don't re-infect yourself. I hope this works for you, I know how awful it feels. Please let us know.

Hi there. I feel your pain, had Perioral Dermatitis for years and tried most of the methods you listed. You have to realise practically all allergies, inflammations or viruses etc start within the intestine, so it is there you must really start the curing process. First try a gluten free diet..why? Because it is a protein that does not break down and prevents other natural enzymes in your body from doing their thing. This is turn creates build up of fecal matter along the intestinal walls. It is this cause that is pretty much to blame. So I quit gluten (feel better already) but the real helper is psyllium husk!!! A high fibre product that will cleanse your intestine and so help your skin glow I swear. You can purchase it at a health store along with blackstrap molasses as that helps ease it down. There's online links that explain frequency and means of consumption. I take it 2-3 times daily, you'll notice improvement after 1 week. Just be patient. Doesn't hurt to keep doing ACV and/or GSE...those are good for pH balance.

Good luck

I effectively treated my perioral dermatitis. With the change of seasons, or when I consume coffee and sugar regularly, it will start to rear up again, and I will just return to the routine below and it is fine. I diagnosed myself, which was then confirmed by my dermatologist. I did a lot of different things, so I can't testify to which one worked the best, but here is a list of everything I did.

1. Cut fluoride (including using non-flouridated water to drink and wash my face).

2. Cut SLS from all of my health and beauty products.

3. Did a yogurt mask every night. After a few weeks I got creative and made a mask out of manuka honey, acidophilus, and aloe.

4. Cleaned my face with only diluted Bragg's apple cider vinegar (morning and night, I didn't use this on the dermatitis by my eyes because it would irritate that skin).

5. Applied violet tincture to the dermatitis morning and night.

6. Used only organic virgin coconut oil as a facial moisturizer.

7. Here is the tough one- I cut added sweeteners and coffee from my diet. I would cheat and have coffee on Saturday, and let myself have sweets on time a week. I drank earl grey instead of coffee.

8. Supplements I took- biotin, evening primrose oil, grapefruit seed extract, liquid acidophilus supplement morning and night.

Before I diagnosed myself with POD, I was using a steroid cream for months that was given to me by a dermatologist. I stopped using that cream after I began to suspect POD, and my skin went really crazy for about two weeks. After adhering to the treatment above for about two to three months my skin was clear. I should also add that I don't wear makeup, and I think that helps to clean it up faster.

Now to maintain clear skin, I use Keys Care facial moisturizer, and I try to stay away from coffee and sugar. I still avoid fluoride and SLS. I also use only non-soap cleanser on my face, and exfoliate with a cleansing grains mix that I make myself. After confirming my diagnosis, my dermatologist gave me an antibacterial cream that is also helpful when I think it is going to flare up. I hope this list is helpful to you! I got all of my information from the internet (including this site), for which I am so grateful!

Hi all!

I've been dealing with this awful Perioral Dermatitis rash for 4 months. I have had it off and on all my life, but this recent bout takes the cake. Around the nose, all over the chin, around the mouth, eyebrows, eyelids, and creeping up to my poor little cheeks! Saw a doctor that wanted to put me on antibiotics. I can't take them because I'm nursing a baby, so she gave me a topical antibiotic cream instead. It dried my face up and didn't work. Trying a few natural things now.

Has anyone tried Proskin Eczema cream? I bought some on the net and it seems to be helping with the pain, itchiness and dryness. I also decided to treat the condition like yeast, and have started taking acidophilus and applying an organic, plain, Greek yogurt mask once a day. I'm taking Biotin as well. Since starting on this path, the redness/swelling is much improved. I tried Apple Cider Vinegar once and it made the redness flare up, so I stopped. It even spread further up my face, as if it was running away! I will try again and stick with it, this time putting it on the unaffected areas close by as well. If this stupid POD is in any way a bacterial infection, then it makes perfect sense for the ACV to work. I read that the initial flare-up right after the first few applications is the infection going crazy and trying to leave the surface or something. But then it dies...nowhere to run!

Good luck to everyone!

Hi I just wanted to post some remedies for the awful perioral dermatitis.

Calamine lotion is a must. A zinc based lotion that dries out those nasty pus filled sores worked wonders for me. I found once the pus was gone and the ooze had stopped the sores cleared up much faster.

Also a skincare range called Hopes Relief. I found this online and I am not affiliated with this brand in any way, it just works.

Basically it's calendula, manuka honey, Aloe and some other natural products all in one. I am using the soap free cleansing bar then the eczema relief cream after washing.

So I have been alternating treatment with the calamine mask (it dries hard) washing it off with the soap free bar, then applying the relief cream. I use the calamine for as long as I can depending on my day and if I need to leave the house or not.

I have had this condition everytime I have been pregnant (3 times) and then for months after each baby the skin problems continued but this time it wouldn't go. I am 6 months post-baby and just found out I was misdiagnosed - being told I have atopic eczema and prescibed Avantan a heavy steriod cream which obviously wasn't working!!! I have always treated this skin problem with steriod creams, and never knew I was making it worse until now.

I also have a history of candida infections and have used a lot of antibiotics, so after finding this page it all made sense.

I am also taking EPO and a high grade probiotic to help my body heal.

The 40% zinc cream is also great but it gets stuck in the scabs and looks pretty bad and is greasy.

Good luck everyone, wishing you healing and happiness and clear complexions!

Hello Heavyhorse,

Congratulations on recent baby!

Concerning your condition, I saw in your post where at the end of your very informative post, you mentioned the possible connection to candida infection and that after the other two births you experienced the same outbreak. Well, if it is an underlying candida problem I'd recommend oral consumption of colloidal silver because the infection is likely system wide. Two tablespoons twice daily for a few months might do the trick.

But more likely the dose would have to continue for six months. Also I apply CS topically at any skin outbreak, first assuming the outbreak is likely virus/fungus or bacteria.

This is what I'd do if experiencing the skin condition you discuss.

Finally, Bill Thompson has written extensively on Candida infection on this site...Earth Clinic...look under "Ailments" and "Candida"...and he has a book "Killing so Sweetly" you will want to consider.

Best to you and the babies...

dave

I just wanted to say thank goodness for this site!!! I will make this brief and just share my results thus far and personal trouble shooting as, if you are reading this you know the issue we have all been dealing with. I hope this helps!

I agree that Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is great, personally I did not cut it with water but applied it directly to the offending areas, and I did it OFTEN for the first three or so days. I did see some results and was hopeful but to be honest it was not nearly as quick as I had hoped for.

Week 1: rid our premises of all sulfates and parabens, I thought I was doing good with "mostly organic stuff" um, surprise, not nearly as good as I thought, example, foaming hand soap and shaving cream! I also.... GASP.... Bagged up ALL of my Mac makeup. This was by far the most painful. Switched to floride free toothpaste etc....

Topically applying the ACV (and tried the Greek yogurt did nothing for me personally), also began taking additional acidophilus and biotin and turmeric. About five days in upon perusing this site again I saw the mention of oregano oil. I had a feeling it would burn, I was not mistaken, I had thought about cutting it with another oil but I wanted to kill this stuff and figured; how bad could it be? It was pretty bad BUT it worked!!!! I have been applying it now for going on four days, just two times a day and still using my 50/50 ACV and water mixture as a toner.

I purchased some calendula ointment that I apply after using the ACV, but don't feel the need after using the oregano oil as it is an oil.

I have been using bare minerals for the last three days when I go out and am pretty satisfied with the results... Sigh (thinking of my 1, 000$ of Mac supply)

I wash my face with raw organic honey. Let's see, what else.... Oh, on the diet issue. I exercise five days a week and eat very clean so I personally don't know that it relates but it very well may, I'm not giving up my wine. ;-)

I really hope this helps! Good luck!

I started ACV 50/50 topically 2x/day, 1 tbsp 2x/day orally 1 week ago. I cleanse 2x/day with mild baby soap and follow with a calendula cream after the ACV. I initially went to the derm doc and he said rosacea. Gave me metro gel and a sulfur cleanser. Got worse. Went back to a different derm doc, she said perioral dermatitis. Gave me brand name metro gel, told me to stop sulfur cleanse, and gave me an rx for 1 month of antibiotics. REALLY did not want to take antibiotics so found this site and started the above regimen. BUT it's still getting worse. I'd say I have a mild case, but don't want it to get worse, which it is! How long do I give things a try before I decide it's making it worse and try something else? This whole thing started when we moved to another state and I was blowing my nose constantly! I got a sore under my nose and the rest is history. It really was not that bad, just not going away, when I went to the derm. Ever since then everything seems to make it worse. Since it started as a sore, what do you suspect could be the culprit? Bacteria, fungus, yeast? Also, I'm around horses, hay, dust, and sun all day long.

Dear all suffering with PD,

My story regarding PD is quite lengthy (sorry I don't want to bore you, but I think the history of how it all began is important for all to understand the cause, the desperation and eventually miraculous treatment, )and after much confusion, upset, cost and frustration I want to share it with you, with the hope that any fellow sufferers will be alleviated from this painful and psychological debilitating affliction quickly.

My PD started roughly 5 years ago after shingles, so obviously my immunity system was already surpressed.

I live in Spain and for many years used expensive as natural as possible 25-50 sun creams on my face, in winter as well as summer as I enjoy many outdoor sports including sailing.

As typical with PD, I noticed a small patch of irrated skin appearing just below my left nostril. I have extremely sensitive skin with a history of allergic reactions to many lotions and potions... E45 was always my anchor, however it was not helping me here.

As I work in an alternative health clinic, I am surrounded by well informed collegeues on the alternative treatments for dermatological problems, however, after using homeopathy and accupuncture and the typical suggestions of natural topical treatments my problem, although controlled, was in no way cured, and some of the natural 'potions' irritated my sensitive skin even more. Also after calm periods the PD would suddenly flare up again, and it seemed each new episode brought a greater degree of intensity and growth of this affliction.

Eventually I visited my GP who in turn referred me to a dermatologist, who confirmed a PD diagnosis, and yes you have all guessed what was prescribed ...... Steroid cream!!!! SURPRISE!!!! I was told to use it for 10 days and to apply it with a cotton bud. I followed the instructions and was pleased with the outcome... PD vanished... Well for a short while...

Then it came back, so I would then dab on a little more steroid cream... and thus I entered the downward spiral of steroid cream 'quick fix' addiction. Obviously I used it sparingly, and I don't think that in the five years I have exceeded more than 50g of steroid cream, but I knew that the problem was getting worse.

However, it remained my crutch. One day whilst in the waiting room of a clinic waiting for an gynaecological ultrasound, I came across an article about the relationship between facial suncreams and PD... BINGO!!! All I needed to do was stop using suncreams on my face.

It seemed (at least for a while) that my miracle cure had arrived. I stopped the suncream and started using Aveeno (not advertising here it was recommended by my sister who's son suffers for eczema.) However, after about 18months my PD came back, stronger and more resistant than ever and once again the battle was on.

I must also add, that other than chocolate and coffee I eat a very healthy vegetarian and organic produce diet, with very little alcohol, I drink lots of mineral or filtered water don't smoke, exercise on a regular basis, cycle everywhere in the city and do not take any other medication. Also all my cleaning products are natural. My beauty products other than the E45 and Aveeno are completely paraben and fragrance free, and for the last year I use a flouride free toothpaste from the herbal shop.

Eventually I arrived to the point where I didn't want to have to rely upon my steroid cream 'crutch' and wanted a healthier natural remedy that was going to be effective, and rather than procrastinating any longer 'no time like the present' became my mantra.

11 days ago was the last time I applied the steroid cream, and 'oh my goodness, ' its been quite a journey. I went 'cold turkey' and in 5 days my face was literally on 'fire' it was extremely distressing and painful. My skin was red raw, raised, itchy, blistered and with an intense burning sensation around the nose mouth and left eye areas. But, this was it there was no going back and I was now focused on finding the healthy solution.

I trawled the internet forums and thank goodness I came across 'Earth Clinic'..... you have all been a huge help and after initial trial and errors here is what I used and when I got the mixture right I had a lightening time recovery.

I tried Aloe Vera cream and gel.. MADE IT WORSE

Rose Hip oil... MADE IT WORSE

Apple Cider Vinegar... MADE IT WORSE

Tap Water... Made IT WORSE

Aveeno cream... SLIGHT relief from itching (but contains chemicals )

###FOLLOW the below recipe for relief and 80% improvement in 2 days..... IT DID FOR ME

***ORGANIC OAT MILK milk stored in fridge (used for cleansing)..... TOTAL RELIEF from itching and stinging

***ORGANIC LIVE YOGHURT, 2tablespoons, with 2 capsules of 'natures plus' Ultra Probiotic emptied into the mixture(not advertising had the ultra probiotic already stored in the fridge to regenerate intestinal flora after taking antibiotics for tooth implant) any good acidophilus will work, I then added 1 teaspoon of organic honey to this mixture.... Popped the mixture in the freezer for 10 mins, then with a sterile makeup brush I painted it all over my face, around the eyes and double thickness in the areas that were mostly suffering... SUCCESS and HEAVENLY... The coolness of this mixture is soothing. Leave it on for between 20 to 30 mins then rinse off with an organic cotton pad and mineral water, the fine powder from the probiotic/acidophilus capsule will also serve as a delicate exfoliant to remove the gradual drying out of the PD..... Apply morning and evening

***COCONUT OIL (cheap and from any health food store) apply with organic cotton pad twice Daily after the yoghurt treatment. This takes down the swelling and starts to dry up the inflammation.

***ACUPUNCTURE to balance the meridians and remove the excess 'fire' energy from the body, and helps to stimulate the suprarenal glands to produce 'Cortisol' which is our very own organic form of steroid which has anti inflammatory properties on our organism... RELAXING and nice to have a therapist to talk to you about your symptoms

***HOMEOPATHY, Initially I took Rhus toxicodendron 30ch and felt a lot WORSE for it, so I changed to Histaminium 30ch 2 granules under my tongue 3 times a day.... RELIEF instantly my swelling started to subside

***AND LASTLY.... I wanted a 'pure as one can get' vitamin E cream to reduce the possibility of scarring, however after searching numerous pharmacies, health food and herbal stores here in Barcelona I couldn't find any, but my intuition told me to look at La ROCHE-POSAY products who have an amazing programme in their Spa's in France for treating scars and build up of scar tissue after mastectomies. I came across 'Cicablast Baume B5' 'CICA' is derived from the french word for scar... 'Cicatrice' and although, not totally free of chemicals it is fragrance and paraben free and contains shea butter and zinc gluconate. This was very soothing and the difference the next morning was ASTOUNDING!!!!! I would only recommend this at the end of the treatment list and for a few days only.

I am now sitting writing this with my face nearly looking normal and reflecting on it all it has been a HUGE learning curve, and I know this will be of use to others that is why I decided to share it with you all. I realise that PD is not 100% curable, however I think with the above tools it will now be 100% treatable.

Cost wise, most of these products are not at all expensive.... in fact other than the Acupuncture most are well under 10euros, or are products that we already have in the house.

I think it also important to point out that its necessary to allow your PD to 'Come Out' after stopping the steroid cream. Its a distressing time but then you will no to some extent what you are 'really' treating

I am now just going to put on the cooling yoghurt face pack... BLISS

Good luck and thank you for your help and support, I will keep you updated as it is still early days for me as yet.

Lou xxx